"Spencer examines both the Synoptics and the Gospel of John as he tries to catch a wide-angle vision of Jesus' behavior in the gospels. Rather than focus on sayings or pronouncements as an authoritative code of conduct, Spencer studies Jesus' deeds or actions as keys to his identity and vocation. While not ignoring Jesus' teaching, this study is more interested in discovering how Jesus personally lived out and lived up to his own moral instruction. Chapters are devoted to Jesus' actions with respect to his family, his friends, his body, his possessions, his work, his reputation, and the environment." "Spencer suggests paths and pitfalls for relating Jesus' personal conduct to our individual behavior and how we might move from "what Jesus did" in the New testament to "what we should do" today."--BOOK JACKET.